Wess-Zumino Inflation in Light of Planck

TL;DR

This paper explores inflationary scenarios within the minimal Wess-Zumino model, demonstrating compatibility with Planck data and discussing implications for topological inflation, neutrino masses, and dark matter.

Contribution

It presents a viable inflation model based on the Wess-Zumino framework that aligns with observational data and explores its extensions to neutrino physics and dark matter.

Findings

Scalar perturbations match Planck data with n_s ~ 0.96 and r < 0.1

Topological inflation is possible within the model

The model can incorporate neutrino masses and dark matter considerations

Abstract

We discuss cosmological inflation in the minimal Wess-Zumino model with a single massive chiral supermultiplet. With suitable parameters and assuming a plausible initial condition at the start of the inflationary epoch, the model can yield scalar perturbations in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) of the correct strength with a spectral index n_s ~ 0.96 and a tensor-to-scalar perturbation ratio r < 0.1, consistent with the Planck CMB data. We also discuss the possibility of topological inflation within the Wess-Zumino model, and the possibility of combining it with a seesaw model for neutrino masses. This would violate R-parity, but at such a low rate that the lightest supersymmetric particle would have a lifetime long enough to constitute the astrophysical cold dark matter.